1989 Chevrolet Silverado Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Chevrolet Silverado, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes521.7%
- Seat belts313.0%
- Suspension313.0%
- Engine313.0%
- Fuel system313.0%
- Tires & wheels28.7%
- Visibility14.3%
- Electrical14.3%
- Exterior lighting14.3%
- Body & structure14.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT REAR ABS BRAKES HAVE FAILED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THE ROTOR ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL RUSTED DANGEROUSLY THIN WHERE THE CENTER SECTION AND THE FRICTION PLATE MEET, AND BROKE ALMOST COMPLETELY APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL THAT IT IS RUSTED SO THIN UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, EVEN WHEN THE FRICTION PLATE THAT THE PADS CONTACT LOOKS FINE. IT BECAME BRITTLE AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES. I STOPPED AND TOOK THE WHEEL OFF TO INSPECT EVERYTHING, AND IT TOOK A WHILE FOR ME TO SEE THE HAIRLINE FRACTURE AROUND THE RING. THIS COULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO SOMEONE COMING TO A STOP FROM A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE FRICTION RING COULD COME COMPLETELY LOOSE, AS MINE WAS ABOUT TO DO, AND BIND UP THE WHEEL CAUSING A SKID AND AN ACCIDENT. THE ROTOR CENTER NEEDS TO BE MADE THE SAME THICKNESS AS THE OLDER 70'S MODELS WERE TO PROVIDE MORE "MEAT" AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS BRITTLENESS AND CRACKING WITH AGE AND RUST.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'SAND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
BELTS NOT AVAILABLE - MUST BE ORDERED IN FULL SETS ONLY AT $130 PLUS TAX. ALL WRECKING YARDS ARE SELLING THE BELTS OUT AS FAST AS THEY RECEIVE THEM. THIS MEANS THE CUSTOMER IS INSTALLING BELTS THAT CARRY THE SAME UNSAFE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RECALL ON THESE BELTS !!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE U BOLTS WERE FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHEN PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. THE DEALER STATES THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. *LA *SC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK AND PRESENT FIRE HAZARDS. THE VALVE COVERS ARE POOR DESIGN AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE GASKETS REPLACED ALL THE TIME. THE FUEL INJECTOR LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE VALVE COVERS AND HAVE TO BE REMOVED ALONG WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR SERVICE MECHANIC NOTICED THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED. LOCATION IS NEAR REAR TIRE ON DRIVER SIDE, BOTH LINES ARE CLUSTERED TOGETHER. A SECTION ABOUT 3-4 INCHES IN LENGTH IS AFFECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. *NLM
THE VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK AND PRESENT FIRE HAZARDS. THE VALVE COVERS ARE POOR DESIGN AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE GASKETS REPLACED ALL THE TIME. THE FUEL INJECTOR LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE VALVE COVERS AND HAVE TO BE REMOVED ALONG WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT LESS THAN 10 MPH REAR DRIVER TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. 2 WEEKS LATER STEEL BELT BROKE IN BOTH FRONT TIRES AT 55 MPH.*AK
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES AFTER LESS THAN TWO YEARS. "CUPPING ON THE BACK TWO TIRES AND POSSIBLE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION" EVEN AFTER PROPER ROTATION. TIRES WERE SOLD TO ME BY DON OLSEN TIRES PLUS OF NORTH WOODLAND BOULEVARD, DELAND, FLORIDA, AND WERE RETURNED TO THEM AND CONSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED YOU OF THE DOT # OF THOSE TIRES AND THAT THERE WERE INHERENT DEFECTS. I AM UNSURE OF THE ACTUAL DOT #, AS I GOT THAT FROM THE REPLACEMENT TIRES, SORRY. THE REST IS CORRECT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER'S FRIEND RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A 1996 CHEVROLET. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, AND HE'S EXPERIENCING THE EXACT DEFECTS. APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES A YEAR SINCE 1991, WINDSHIELD WIPER S WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. DEALERS SAYS THE CIRCUIT BOARD CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINTS, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING VEHICLE THROUGH THE DASH. HE THE STOPPED VEHICLE, AND OPENED THE DOOR AND PULLED THE HOOD LATCH. BEFORE HE COULD GET OUT OF TRUCK THE SMOKE HAD TURNED TO FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER IS MELTING, CAUSING BULBS TO FALL OUT, RESULTING IN SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL OFF BODY. CLAIMS IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .